IP Library Granted Patent US 10,778,168
Granted Patent B2
US 10,778,168 · App. 16/241,739 · Granted Sep 15, 2020

Methods and apparatus for volume adjustment

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,778,168
App. No.
16/241,739
Granted
Sep 15, 2020
Kind
B2
Abstract

Apparatus, systems, articles of manufacture, and methods for volume adjustment are disclosed herein. An example method includes identifying media represented in an audio signal, accessing metadata associated with the media in response to identify the media in the audio signal, determining, based on the metadata, an average volume for the media, and adjusting an output volume of the audio signal based on an average gain value, the average gain value determined based on the average volume for the media.

Claims (43)

1. An apparatus to adjust audio volume, the apparatus comprising:

an audio signal identifying circuit to identify media represented in an audio signal;

a metadata accessing circuit to:

access metadata associated with the media in response to identifying the media in the audio signal; and

determine, based on the metadata, an average volume for the media; and

a volume adjusting circuit to adjust an output volume of the audio signal based on a first gain value, the first gain value determined using:

a second gain value determined based on the average volume for the media to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between other media; and

a third gain value determined based on a comparison of the audio signal and an instantaneous volume measurement represented in the metadata to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between sources.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a real time audio monitoring circuit to determine a difference between an average measured volume of a sample of the audio signal and a desired volume level for a specified timespan, wherein the volume adjusting circuit to adjust the output volume of the audio signal based on a fourth gain value, the fourth gain value based on the difference.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the volume adjusting circuit is to determine a fifth gain value, wherein the fourth gain value is an initial volume adjustment applied to the audio signal and the fifth gain value is a subsequent volume adjustment applied to the audio signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including a dynamic range compressor to compress the audio signal when the audio signal identifier is unable to identify the media represented in the audio signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 , further including an audio signal accessing circuit to buffer the audio signal, the buffering to cause a delay in outputting the audio signal to provide time for identifying the media, accessing the metadata, and determining the average volume.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first gain value is determined based on a safe listening volume range.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the first gain value is determined based on a historical volume setting for a source type of the audio signal.

8. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium comprising computer readable instructions that, when executed, cause a processor to at least:

identify media represented in an audio signal;

access metadata associated with the media in response to identifying the media in the audio signal;

determine, based on the metadata, an average volume for the media; and

adjust an output volume of the audio signal based on a first gain value, the first gain value determined using:

a second gain value determined based on the average volume for the media to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between other media; and

a third gain value determined based on a comparison of the audio signal and an instantaneous volume measurement represented in the metadata to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between sources.

9. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to:

determine a difference between an average measured volume of a sample of the audio signal and a desired volume level for a specified timespan; and

adjust the volume of the audio signal based on a fourth gain value, the fourth gain value based on the difference.

10. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 9 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to determine a fifth gain value, wherein the fourth gain value is an initial volume adjustment applied to the audio signal and the fifth gain value is a subsequent volume adjustment applied to the audio signal.

11. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to compress the audio signal when the media represented in the audio signal is not identified.

12. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the computer readable instructions, when executed, cause the processor to buffer the audio signal, the buffering to cause a delay in outputting the audio signal to provide time for identifying the media, accessing the metadata, and determining the average volume.

13. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the first gain value is determined based on a safe listening volume range.

14. The non-transitory computer readable storage medium of claim 8 , wherein the first gain value is determined based on a historical volume setting for a source type of the audio signal.

15. A method comprising:

identifying media represented in an audio signal;

accessing metadata associated with the media in response to identifying the media in the audio signal;

determining, based on the metadata, an average volume for the media; and

adjusting an output volume of the audio signal based on a first gain value, the first gain value determined using:

a second gain value determined based on the average volume for the media to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between other media; and

a third gain value determined based on a comparison of the audio signal and an instantaneous volume measurement represented in the metadata to enable normalization of the output volume of the audio signal between sources.

16. The method of claim 15 , further including:

determining a difference between an average measured volume of a sample of the audio signal and a desired volume level for a specified timespan; and

adjusting the volume of the audio signal based on a fourth gain value, the fourth gain value based on the difference.

17. The method of claim 16 , further including determining a fifth gain value, wherein the fourth gain value is an initial volume adjustment applied to the audio signal and the fifth gain value is a subsequent volume adjustment applied to the audio signal.

18. The method of claim 15 , further including compressing the audio signal when the media represented in the audio signal is not identified.

19. The method of claim 15 , further including buffering the audio signal, the buffering to cause a delay in outputting the audio signal to provide time for identifying the media, accessing the metadata, and determining the average volume.

20. The method of claim 15 , wherein the first gain value is determined based on a safe listening volume range.

Assignments (10)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 17, 2024
From: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: GRACENOTE, INC.
Reel/Frame 068008/0661 →
RELEASE (REEL 054066 / FRAME 0064) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063605/0001 →
RELEASE (REEL 053473 / FRAME 0001) Recorded May 11, 2023
From: CITIBANK, N.A.
To: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063603/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded May 8, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 063574/0632 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 28, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063561/0381 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jan 31, 2023
From: GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; GRACENOTE, INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
Reel/Frame 063560/0547 →
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE PATENTS LISTED ON SCHEDULE 1 RECORDED ON 6-9-2020 PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 053473 FRAME 0001. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE SUPPLEMENTAL IP SECURITY AGREEMENT. Recorded Oct 7, 2020
From: A.C. NIELSEN (ARGENTINA) S.A.; A.C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A
Reel/Frame 054066/0064 →
SUPPLEMENTAL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jun 9, 2020
From: A. C. NIELSEN COMPANY, LLC; ACN HOLDINGS INC.; ACNIELSEN CORPORATION; ACNIELSEN ERATINGS.COM; AFFINNOVA, INC.; ART HOLDING, L.L.C.; ATHENIAN LEASING CORPORATION; CZT/ACN TRADEMARKS, L.L.C.; EXELATE, INC.; GRACENOTE, INC.; GRACENOTE DIGITAL VENTURES, LLC; GRACENOTE MEDIA SERVICES, LLC; NETRATINGS, LLC; NIELSEN AUDIO, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER INSIGHTS, INC.; NIELSEN CONSUMER NEUROSCIENCE, INC.; NIELSEN FINANCE CO.; NIELSEN FINANCE LLC; NIELSEN INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS, INC.; NIELSEN MOBILE, LLC; NIELSEN UK FINANCE I, LLC; NMR INVESTING I, INC.; TCG DIVESTITURE INC.; TNC (US) HOLDINGS, INC.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC; VIZU CORPORATION; VNU MARKETING INFORMATION, INC.; NMR LICENSING ASSOCIATES, L.P.; NIELSEN HOLDING AND FINANCE B.V.; THE NIELSEN COMPANY B.V.; VNU INTERNATIONAL B.V.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 053473/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 8, 2020
From: VARTAKAVI, ANEESH
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 051518/0820 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Dec 30, 2019
From: COOVER, ROBERT; SCOTT, JEFFREY; CREMER, MARKUS K.
To: THE NIELSEN COMPANY (US), LLC
Reel/Frame 051387/0863 →